Every week we’ll explore a theme of Christmas. The first theme was giving and included the chance for you to win our exclusive Christmas in a Box hamper. Our second theme of Christmas is connecting.

This festive period is special for many because it’s an opportunity to see and connect with people again. Who would you like to connect with this season? Here are some activities you can do to connect:

Go for a walk together

A walk in nature or just around the block can do wonders to your mood and fitness. It’s a great way to get a friend or neighbour who lives alone out and about. Bring a thermos to keep you warm and extend your walk to a coffee date.

Say hello to a neighbour

When was the last time you knocked on your neighbour's door for a doorstep chat? Connecting with your neighbour can help bring a closer sense of community to you both.

Solve a whodunnit

Murder mysteries are fun for all and they have also been adapted for online play. Macmillan has created an online whodunnit that you can host. You can play with six to eight people. It’s guaranteed to be a great evening requiring little preparation, but all the fun! Macmillan also has packs for a quiz night, virtual horse racing and a virtual escape room.

Workout together!

Exercise is a real endorphin booster and has such a positive impact on your wellbeing we should squeeze some in daily. Open up your daily workout to include catching up with someone too. There are many online tutorials you can both follow such as ellenor hospice’s seated exercise class every Thursday morning with physiotherapist Andy Lowden. Or, you can just start a video call and motivate each other to do some living room lunges and calf raises.

Start a book club

Are you a bit of a bookworm? Why not start your own book club! Once you’ve gathered fellow readers, you can draw names from a hat to determine the order of who chooses the book. It’s a great way to combine a hobby and some socialising. ellenor hospice already runs its own book club if you're happy to join an existing one, or you could even become a reading helper with the Beanstalk Charity to connect and help young readers.

Throw a crafting session

Continuing on the topic of combining hobbies and socialising, crafting is another hobby better with friends. Either craft the same project, go festive with DIY christmas cards or reef making, or just bustle away on your existing projects whilst having a video call running in the background. Mind Charity has resources and tips on how to host your own charitable Crafternoon including festive kits for embroidered christmas cards or origami tree decorations.

Charades anyone?

Charades is a classic Christmas game that needs no explanation. And what an easy game to play through a video call! It needs almost no prep, just set a date, choose a time and send round the video link. If you want to take charades to the next level, try Fishbowl. A combination of articulate and charades. Instructions can be found online and you can also play it virtually.

Write letters

Who doesn’t love receiving post? Writing can be incredibly cathartic and having a pen pal gives you something to look forward to in the future. Whether you want to write letters to distant relations or find a new pen pal, such as Carer’s Pen Pal scheme by Crossroads Together, there is always someone to connect with.

Happy connecting this Christmas and keep an eye on our Twitter and Instagram social media pages for our other festive themes.